Legendary music executive Clive Davis passed away on Monday, June 22nd at the age of 94 due to age-related illness. Davis is a hit song giant known for shaping the careers of superstars such as Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow and Maroon 5.
Davis served as president of Columbia Records from 1967 to 1973 before founding Arista Records, which signed Aretha Franklin, Patti Smith, and Dionne Warwick. Then, in 2000, he founded J Records, which includes Alicia Keys and Maroon 5.
Throughout his illustrious 60 years in the music industry, Davis served as a mentor to artists such as Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, Aerosmith, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Usher, Rod Stewart, Jennifer Hudson, and Luther Vandross.
Clive Davis’ pre-Grammys party has also been a staple of star-studded awards weekends for years.
“To the world, our father was an iconic music legend whose vision, instinct, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives,” Davis’ family said in a statement announcing his death on social media. “He discovered, mentored and championed some of the greatest artists in the history of modern music, leaving an indelible mark on the culture for generations.
“To his family, Clive was a father and grandfather, a steady presence at the center of our lives, a source of wisdom, strength, encouragement and unconditional love. No matter how extraordinary his professional achievements, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved.”
“Through every chapter of his remarkable life, his family remained Clive’s greatest pride and deepest joy. Today we celebrate not only a great man who had a lasting impact on music, but also a man who led our family with grace, generosity and kindness. We will miss him dearly, we will always cherish him and will carry his love with us for the rest of our lives.”
There has been an outpouring of support since the news of Davis’ death was announced by his family early Monday morning.
Springsteen was among those who paid tribute to Davis. “Here on E Street, we mourn the loss of a great record man and dear friend, Clive Davis. At the age of 22, he signed me to Columbia Records and changed my life,” Springsteen wrote on his website and Instagram. “He treated me with the same respect and kindness as a 22-year-old young man, just as he did after I achieved success. He is an amazing person. We gave him all of our prayers and love.”
Keys, who just appeared at the Knicks ticker tape parade on Thursday (June 18), remembered Davis with a photo collage of the two of them together, which he shared on his Instagram Story. She added a simple dove and purple heart emoji to the snap.
Singer-songwriter Ray Parker Jr., who created the Ghostbusters theme song, released a statement to Billboard about his friendship with Davis. “I considered Clive a personal friend outside of music. He spent hours teaching me how to live life,” said the Grammy-winning artist. “He also wrote me a very nice and heartfelt letter on my birthday on May 1st, even though he has been unwell for the past few weeks. Love you always, Clive! You have been a blessing to us all!”
In a statement shared with Billboard, Carlos Santana remembered someone he considers a “visionary” in the music industry. “He could hear the intangible before others could see. He believed in Santana from the beginning, and years later, he believed in us again. That kind of faith is a great blessing and I will always be grateful,” he said in part, also noting how the mogul encouraged musicians to trust their voices. “Clive understood that music is more than entertainment. Music is a healing force. Music brings people together across fear, separation, and borders. He dedicated his life to championing artists and helping them share their gifts with the world. … I am grateful for Clive’s friendship, trust, and belief in Santana. We celebrate his extraordinary journey and the legacy of joy, inspiration, and possibility he leaves behind.”
Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons paid tribute to Davis on Instagram. Simmons captioned the post with a heart emoji: “Farewell old friend, you were an inspiration to so many.”
Jermaine Dupri and Diplo posted condolences on Instagram announcing Davis’ death. “Rip the boss apart,” Diplo wrote, while Dupri commented with a series of praying hands emojis.
Singer-songwriter Patti Smith shared a heartfelt post on Instagram praising Davis, showing how grateful she is for him believing in her talent early on. “This is to Clive Davis for changing music, and on a very personal note, to everyone for believing in me, guiding my efforts, and for your love and support over half a century,” Smith wrote.
Grammy Award-winning singer and pianist Harry Connick Jr. posted a tribute on IG. “So sad to hear of the passing of Clive Davis…he was a giant in the music industry and a very nice person…rest in peace, @clivejdavis,” he wrote.
Songwriter Diane Warren wrote a poignant eulogy for Davis, comparing the music giant’s death to the feeling of losing a father.
“Dear Clive, losing you today feels like losing my father, because you have always been family to me. It was you who believed in me from the beginning, and you who never stopped believing in me. I included artists who didn’t. And there were a few like that. I loved playing your songs and seeing the look on your face when the song moved you. You really loved the song. And I really appreciate the songwriters. “You didn’t see any fucking numbers or data. The only data that mattered to you was how it made you feel. Countless artists and songwriters owe everything to you, and I’m one of them. Without you, I wouldn’t have the career I have today. I will always cherish our friendship. No one can ever come close to what you have accomplished. Rest assured, dear friend, you will find a wonderful voice waiting for you in heaven. I love you and I am everything.” ”
Famed production duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Hough were mentored by Davis, and the Philadelphia Soul founders paid tribute to the late music mogul in a statement to Billboard.
“Gamble and Huff are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear longtime friend Clive Davis. Clive was responsible for starting the record label Philadelphia International Records through CBS Records and allowing us to officially launch into the music business,” Gamble and Huff said in a statement. “Clive Davis’ appreciation and love for soul and rhythm and blues created the platform for The Sound of Philadelphia to be heard around the world.”
“We will forever be grateful for what Clive Davis has brought to our musical careers and the impact he has had on the music business throughout the history of music around the world. Our friend and mentor will be greatly missed and our deepest condolences go out to his family, our musical family, and colleagues around the world!”
Dionne Warwick was one of Arista’s superstars during Davis’ reign, and the two remained close in the decades since.
“Clive Davis, what should I say? My dear friend went above and beyond and lived every moment to the fullest. I will truly miss him,” she said in a statement. “He always wanted to know, ‘Where’s my Dionne?’ I called him the brown-shoe, white-sock record executive. I can’t think of another record man who had the magical ability to know a hit song when he heard it. The entire music industry will mourn his passing. He was one of a kind.”
Kenny Loggins has made a career out of writing memorable movie theme songs and soundtrack hits, and Loggins credits it all to Clive Davis.
“I owe much of my career to Clive Davis. He believed in me while others just ‘wait and see’. He had the ability to use his ‘gut feeling’ rather than just looking at the numbers,” Loggins said in a statement. “He will be missed as one of the last in this industry.”
Melissa Manchester joined Davis’ Arista Records when Arista acquired Bell Records in the mid-’70s. Although Manchester and Davis sometimes disagreed about the direction of her career, she admired Davis’ belief in his artistry, and they remained friends until his death on Monday.
“Clive Davis has passed away at the age of 94. Clive was the president of Arista Records for many years. Arista had absorbed Bell Records, where Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando, Dawn and I were signed. So the three of us formed the basis for Clive’s new company. I have sometimes struggled with Clive’s vision for my career,” Manchester said in a statement. “He had a hard time understanding me at times. I had great successes and disappointments with him, but in the end, I was grateful for his long and unwavering belief in my talent. This is the last photo we took together recently. He said, ‘Call me whenever I perform in town. He said, ‘I’ll go.’ ”I swear I was just about to call him. Rest easy now, Clive, thank you! ”
Davis is survived by his four children, sons Fred, Doug, and Mitchell, and daughter Lauren, eight grandchildren (Austin, Charlie, Matthew, Haley, Harper, Sloan, Billy, and Cody), two great-grandchildren, and cousin Joe Schuman and partner Greg Schriefer.
Source link
